After weeks of spotlighting long‑neglected, worn‑out, or wrecked Corvettes, it’s refreshing to come across a 1963 split‑window coupe that’s been treated with genuine reverence.

This white‑over‑red Sting Ray, offered on Craigslist out of Salem, New Hampshire, has obviously been pampered. And the seller knows it, too: the asking price sits at $159,000.

The seller says the car underwent a high‑end, professional restoration completed in 2017. Sadly, the owner passed away soon after, leaving the freshly restored Corvette to sit for years. It’s unclear whether he ever had the chance to enjoy the finished product.

One Barn Finds reader, Jerry, connected with that detail on a personal level: “When I was 15, in 1965, I built a 1963 split window model car… white with red interior. My mom kept it until she passed. When I saw this ’63, I couldn’t help tearing up.”

The emotional pull of a split window is real — and this one wears its nostalgia proudly.

The photos show a car restored to near‑showroom condition. Check out the nicely detailed door jambs and the fit of the carpet in the rear compartment – small details sometimes overlooked. The seller claims numbers‑matching engine and transmission, though the rear end has been swapped. The interior, re‑done in brand‑new leather, reportedly cost $5,000 alone. He also says he has $40,000 in receipts documenting the restoration.

Reader geomechs admired the simplicity of the build: “Basic engine and powertrain. Nothing too involved for the average gearhead. I’d prefer a carburetor to play with — win‑win all the way.”

The 327/300 engine was the second‑tier option in 1963, offering a bump over the base 250‑hp version without the complexity of fuel injection. Paired with a four‑speed manual, it’s a classic driver’s setup.

The seller describes the car as “investment grade,” a phrase that always raises the question: will it be driven, or simply admired?

This split window looks ready for the road, but its pristine condition may tempt a future owner to keep it tucked away. That would be a shame — cars like this deserve sunlight and asphalt, at least occasionally.

One reader, ACB, chimed in with a detail that often gets overlooked: “The wheels may be genuine Kelsey‑Hayes units or reproductions but wouldn’t have been factory‑fitted… Many 1963 cars have been retro‑fitted with aluminum wheels and their presence doesn’t usually disturb the originality police.”

It’s a reminder that even high‑end restorations often include period‑correct upgrades rather than strict factory accuracy — especially on a car restored for enjoyment rather than concours judging.

Between the restoration quality, the color combination, and the emotional backstory, this ’63 split window is the kind of Corvette that doesn’t linger long — at least not in today’s market. With the seller asking $159,000, it’s priced for serious collectors, but the comments suggest plenty of admiration from enthusiasts who simply appreciate seeing one done right.

The owner’s untimely passing — after investing heavily in this restoration — is a reminder that the next caretaker should think seriously about making this split window more than an expensive garage ornament. Cars like this deserve to be driven, not just displayed, and this one’s story makes that point even clearer.

Source:
Craigslist.org via BarnFinds.com

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